Prestart oil-pressurizing device

ABSTRACT

A prestart oil-pressurizing device for internal combustion engines in which an oil reservoir is supplied during the course of operation of the engine with lubricant from the high pressure side of the engine-lubricating system through a forward flow passage having a first and a second check valve between which is interposed a slide valve. The reservoir is also in communication with the engine lubricating system through a backward flow passage having a third check valve and intersected between the third check valve and reservoir by the slide valve. The slide valve occupies a first position closing the forward flow passage and permitting discharge of lubricant from the reservoir and a second position closing the backward flow passage. Lubricant locked in the forward flow passage when the engine is idle prevents return of the slide valve to its first position until the second valve is momentarily opened by a solenoid armature activated by initial operation of the engine ignition switch permitting discharge of lubricant into the lubricating system during initial operation of the engine, before its lubricating system is effective.

United States Patent [72] Inventor 'lheodoreT.Raichel 10269 Angeli St.,Downey, Calif. 90242 21 AppLNo. 842,166 (22] Filed July16,1969 [45]Patented June8,l971

[54] PRESTART OIL-PRESSURIZING DEVICE 6 Claims, 4 Drawing Figs.

[52] U.S.Cl 184/6A, 123/1968 [51] lnt.Cl. F01m5/00 [50] FleldolSearch123/1968; 184/6,6A

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,755,787 7/1956 Butleretalvl84/6X 2,780,312 2/1957 Lebocey..... l84/(6UX) 2,867,203 1/1959 Easton184/6X 2,889,821 6/1959 Maki 123/196 3,422,807 1/1969 Waldecker..123/196 3,425,404 2/1969 Lamkin 123/196 Primary Examiner-Manual A.Antonakas Attorney-Lyon & Lyon ABSTRACT: A prestart oil-pressurizingdevice for internal combustion engines in which an oil reservoir issupplied during the course of operation of the engine with lubricantfrom the high pressure side of the engine-lubricating system through aforward flow passage having a first and a second check valve betweenwhich is interposed a slide valve. The reservoir is also incommunication with the engine lubricating system through a backward flowpassage having a third check valve and intersected between the thirdcheck valve and reservoir by the slide valve. The slide valve occupies afirst position closing the forward flow passage and permitting dischargeof lubricant from the reservoir and a second position closing thebackward flow passage. Lubricant locked in the forward flow passage whenthe engine is idle prevents return of the slide valve to its firstposition until the second valve is momentarily opened by a solenoidarmature activated by initial operation of the engine ignition switchpermitting discharge of lubricant into the lubricating system duringinitial operation of the engine, before its lubricating system iseffective.

PATENTEU JUN 8197i 3,583,527

IGNITION Z0 SWITCH INVENTOR. 26 (A27 72/500025 7 Ema/4 FIG. 4 BY 5ATTORNEYS PRES'IART OIL-PRESSURIZING DEVICE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONIt has long been recognized that excessive wear occurs in an automobileinternal combustion engine during the interval initiated by the turningof the ignition switch and terminating with the delivery of oil to theworking parts of the engine. This is evidenced by the large number ofpatents which have issued on devices intended to supply oil duringinitial starting of an engine. However, none of these devices haveproved practical to the extent of being adopted by the automotiveindustry.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to a prestartoil-pressurizing device which provides a solution to the problem and issummarized in the accompanying objects:

First, to provide a prestart oil-pressurizing device operable, duringoperation of an internal combustion engine, to receive a predeterminedquantity of oil under pressure, which is retained under pressure duringthe idle period of the engine; then, the instant the engine starter orignition switch is closed, the stored oil is returned to the oil systemunder pressure before the oil pump is operative.

Second, to provide a prestart pressurizing device in which oil issupplied to a reservoir through a bypass having a relative ly smallcheck valve capable of being opened with little force by a solenoid, thecheck valve acting as a pilot valve which need be opened onlymomentarily to cause a larger capacity piston valve and a backflow valveto open for rapid delivery of the reservoir oil to the lubricatingsystem.

Third, to provide a prestart pressurizing device which is dependable inoperation; however, should failure occur, it does not adversely affectthe lubricating system.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an elevational view of theprestart oil-pressurizing device.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view, taken through 2-2 ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary section view, taken through 3-3 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a wiring diagram.

The prestart oil-pressurizing device includes a valve body 1, the upperside of which underlies the horizontal portion of a mounting bracket 2,which also forms the closed lower end of a reservoir 3. A' tie bolt 4joints the valve body 1 and bracket 2. A gasket 5 is provided betweenthe valve body and the mounting bracket.

The valve body is provided with a horizontally extending slide valvebore 6, closed at its ends by seal plugs 7. Between the seal plugs, theslide valve bore receives a slide valve 8. Extending upwardly from theslide valve bore 6 near one end, is a reservoir inlet 9, provided with abackflow closing check valve 10. Near the opposite end of the slidevalve bore 6, the bore is intersected by a reservoir outlet 11.

The underside of the valve body is provided in offset relation to thereservoir outlet 11 with an oil supply socket 12, which is internallyscrew-threaded to receive an end of a lubricant line 13, through whichoil or lubricant is delivered to the valve body and the reservoir, andfrom which the oil or lubricant is discharged. The inner or upper end ofthe oil supply socket l2 intersects the slide valve bore 6 and isprovided below the bore with a backflow opening check valve 14, normallyheld in its closed position by a spring 15.

Below the check valve 14, the valve body is provided with a horizontalbore 16, intersecting the socket l2 and closed at its opposite end by aplug 17. The horizontal bore 16 is intersected by a vertical bore 18,which intersects the slide valve bore 6 and is-provided with a backflowclosing check valve 19. Below the horizontal bore 16, the vertical bore18 is enlarged and internally screw-threaded to provide a solenoidsocket 20, into which is screw-threaded the case of a solenoid 21. Anarmature 22 projects upwardly from the solenoid 21 and is engageablewith the check valve 19 to move the check valve to an open position.

Also communicating with the oil or lubricant supply socket 12 is adiaphragm socket 23, having a diaphragm 24 secured by a clamp plug 25.The clamp plug 25 guides a slide pin 26 which is engageable with anormally closed switch 27 mounted on the side of the valve body 1.

The reservoir inlet 9, vertical bore 18 and horizontal bore 16 form aforward flow passage for the delivery of lubricant from the line 13 tothe reservoir. The reservoir outlet 11 and socket 12 form a backwardflow passage for delivery of oil or lubricant to the line 13.

The switch 27 and solenoid 31 are series connected with an ignitionswitch 28 of the internal combustion engine. The ignition switch isnormally closed so that closure of the ignition switch will energize thesolenoid 21.

Operation of the prestart oil-pressurizing device is as follows:

Initially, following installation, the reservoir 3 is empty, thelubricating system of the internal combustion engine is depressurized sothat the switch 27 is closed. Initial operation of the ignition switch28 causes the lubrication system to become pressurized with the resultthat the lubricant flows through the forward flow passage, forcing theslide valve 8 to the dotted line position shown in FIG. 2, so that thelubricant may flow into the reservoir 3, compressing the air therein,until the pressure in the reservoir equals the pressure in thelubricating system.

When the ignition is shutoff, and the internal combustion engine isinactive, the slide valve 8 remains in the dotted line position due tothe liquid lubricant trapped between the check valves 10 and 19. Underthese conditions, there is no pressure in the lubricant line 13 so thatthe switch 27 occupies a closed position. When the ignition switch 28 isagain closed, the solenoid armature 22 engages the check valve 19 topermit the lubricant to bleed from the slide valve bore 6 so that thepressure in the reservoir 3 moves the slide valve 8 to the solid lineposition shown in FIG. 2, permitting the lubricant to drain from thereservoir through the check valve 14 and into the lubricant line.

The backward flow passage from the reservoir to the lubricant line maybe relatively large so that the back flow takes place rapidly during therelatively short interval of time required for the engine-lubricatingsystem to become pressurized. it is during this critical though shortperiod, when under normal conditions the moving parts of the engine arenot properly lubricated, much of the wear of these moving parts of aninternal combustion engine occurs. Once the lubricant line 13 becomespressurized, the switch 27 is moved to its open position by thediaphragm 24 so as to deenergize the solenoid 21. During the initialoperating period of the internal combustion engine, the charge oflubricant is resupplied to the reservoir 3 through the forward flowpassage between the lubricant line 13 and the reservoir.

It should be noted in this regard that the forward flow passage, andparticularly the check valve 19, may be relatively small so that theforce required to open this valve in order to initiate backflow oflubricant from the reservoir may be minimal. Also, it will be noted thatthe amount of back flow in order to permit the necessary movement of theslide valve 8 is likewise minimal so that no significant time delayoccurs before the lubricant from the reservoir is available to protectthe moving parts of the internal combustion engine.

It should be noted that the viscosity of lubricating oil is such thatthe valve 8 may have a sliding fit in its bore 6 and still provide aseal which remains effective to retain the oil in the reservoir eventhough the engine be idle for a substantial period. However, if desired,conventional seal rings either of the cup type of the O-ring type may beemployed.

While particular embodiments of this invention have been shown anddescribed, it is not intended to limit the same to the details of theconstructions set forth, but instead, the invention embraces suchchanges, modifications and equivalents of the various parts and theirrelationships as come within the purview of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A prestart pressurizing device for an internal combustion enginehaving an ignition means and a lubricating system pressurized when theengine is running and depressurized when the engine is not running andduring its starting period, said device comprising:

a. a lubricant reservoir;

b. a lubricant line connected with said lubricating system for flow oflubricant to and from said systems;

c. a forward flow passage from said lubricant line to said reservoir fordelivery of lubricant under pressure to said reservoir;

d. a backward flow passage from said reservoir to said lubricant linefor delivery of lubricant from said reservoir to said system when saidsystem is depressurized;

e. a valve means communicating between said passages and having a firstposition closing said forward flow passage in response to pressurefavoring said backward flow passage and a second position closing saidbackward flow passage in response to pressure favoring said forward flowpassage;

f. and momentary operating means for bleeding pressure from said forwardflow passage when said lubricant system is depressurized to move saidvalve means to said first position, thereby to permit backward flow oflubricant from said reservoir.

2. A device, as defined in claim ll, wherein:

a. said momentary operating means includes a solenoid;

b. and a pressure sensitive switch in series with said solenoid islocated in said backward flow passage, said switch being closed when thelubricating system is depressurized and opened when the lubricatingsystem is pressurized.

3. A device, as defined in claim 1, wherein:

a. said valve means includes a valve bore having ends intersecting saidpassages, and a slide valve member movable between the ends.

4. A prestart pressurizing device for an internal combustion enginehaving an ignition means and a lubricating system pressurized when theengine is running and depressurized when the engine is not running andduring its starting period, said device comprising:

a. a lubricant reservoir;

b. means for pressurizing said reservoir with lubricant from saidlubricating system;

c. a main valve means for retaining lubricant in said reservoir whensaid lubricating system is depressurized;

d. a pilot valve means operably connected with said ignition means foropening said main valve means to effect rapid return of lubricant tosaid system during the starting period of said engine;

e. and pressure sensitive means exposed to pressure in said lubricatingsystem to prevent operation of said pilot valve when said lubricationsystem is pressurized.

5. A prestart pressurizing device for an internal combustion enginehaving an ignition means and a lubricating system pressurized when theengine is running and depressurized when the engine is not running andduring its starting period, said device comprising:

a. a lubricant reservoir;

b. a lubricant line connected with said lubricating system for flow oflubricant to and from said system;

c. a valve body interposed between said reservoir and said lubricantline, said valve body including a backward flow passage between saidreservoir and said lubricant line having a first check valve therein, aforward flow passage between said lubricant line and said reservoirhaving a second and a third check valve therein;

d. said valve body also including a cross bore intersecting saidbackward flow line between said reservoir and first check valve, andintersecting said forward flow line between said second and third checkvalves; e. a slide valve movable in said bore in response to pressurefavoring said rearward flow passage to a first position closing saidforward flow passage and movable in response to pressure favoring saidforward flow passage to a second position closing said backward flowpassage;

. and solenoid operated means operable to open said third check valvethereby to bleed pressure from said forward flow passage and cause saidslide valve to move to its first position and permit backward flow oflubricant to said lubricating system.

6. A device, as defined in claim 5, wherein:

a. a pressure sensitive switch is exposed to pressure in said lubricantline for rendering said solenoid operated means ineffective when saidlubricating system is pressurized.

1. A prestart pressurizing device for an internal combustion enginehaving an ignition means and a lubricating system pressurized when theengine is running and depressurized when the engine is not running andduring its starting period, said device comprising: a. a lubricantreservoir; b. a lubricant line connected with said lubricating systemfor flow of lubricant to and from said systems; c. a forward flowpassage from said lubricant line to said reservoir for delivery oflubricant under pressure to said reservoir; d. a backward flow passagefrom said reservoir to said lubricant line for delivery of lubricantfrom said reservoir to said system when said system is depressurized; e.a valve means communicating between said passages and having a firstposition closing said forward flow passage in response to pressurefavoring said backward flow passage and a second position closing saidbackward flow passage in response to pressure favoring said forward flowpassage; f. and momentary operating means for bleeding pressure fromsaid forward flow passage when said lubricant system is depressurized tomove said valve means to said first position, thereby to permit backwardflow of lubricant from said reservoir.
 2. A device, as defined in claim1, wherein: a. said momentary operating means includes a solenoid; b.and a pressure sensitive switch in series with said solenoid is locatedin said backward flow passage, said switch being closed when thelubricating system is depressurized and opened when the lubricatingsystem is pressurized.
 3. A device, as defined in claim 1, wherein: a.said valve means includes a valve bore having ends intersecting saidpassages, and a slide valve member movable between the ends.
 4. Aprestart pressurizing device for an internal combustion engine having anignition means and a lubricating system pressurized when the engine isrunning and depressurized when the engine is not running and during itsstarting period, said device comprising: a. a lubricant reservoir; b.means for pressurizing said reservoir with lubricant from saidlubricating system; c. a main valve means for retaining lubricant insaid reservoir when said lubricating system is depressurized; d. a pilotvalve means operably connected with said ignition means for opening saidmain valve means to effect rapid return of lubricant to said systemduring the starting period of said engine; e. and pressure sensitivemeans exposed to pressure in said lubricating system to preventoperation of said pilot valve when said lubrication system ispressurized.
 5. A prestart pressurizing device for an internalcombustion engine having an ignition means and a lubricating systempressurized when the engine is running and depressurized when the engineis not running and during its starting period, said device comprising:a. a lubricant reservoir; b. a lubricant line connected with saidlubricating system for flow of lubricant to and from said system; c. avalve body interposed between said reservoir and said lubricant line,said valve body including a backward flow passage between said reservoirand said lubricant line having a first check valve therein, a forwardflow passage between said lubricant line and said reservoir having asecond and a third check valve therein; d. said valve body alsoincluding a cross bore intersecting said backward flow line between saidreservoir and first check valve, and intersecting said forward flow linebetween said second and third check valves; e. a slide valve movable insaid bore in response to pressure favoring said rearward flow passage toa first position closing said forward flow passage and movable inresponse to pressure favoring said forward flow passage to a secondposition closing said backward flow passage; f. and solenoid operatedmeans operable to open said third check valve thereby to bleed pressurefrom said forward flow passage and cause said slide valve to move to itsfirst position and permit backward flow of lubricant to said lubricatingsystem.
 6. A device, as defined in claim 5, wherein: a. a pressuresensitive switch is exposed to pressure in said lubricant line forrendering said solenoid operated means ineffective when said lubricatingsystem is pressurized.